his Insight is one I shared at my local church’s Lenten Study on 21st March 2024 with the theme: At Home in Lent based on a book by Gordon Giles (BRF Lent Book)
Before we enter into the study take a moment to listen to this beautiful worship song There is a Higher Throne by Keith and Kristyn Getty.
- First Reflection on the Alarm Clock (From page 172 in the book)
- Bible Reading – John 13: 36 – 38
Every morning is new and we may start it with the sound of an alarm clock, body clock, somebody waking us up or phoning to ensure we get out of bed in time for the day’s activities.
On the top of many churches there is a cross, clock or weather vane that when blown by the wind determines its direction. Pope Nicolas (800 – 867) decreed that a cockerel vane was a good emblem for the Christian faith and should be placed on every church tower, spire or steeple.
Crossed keys is one symbol associated with Peter as well as a rooster that reminds us of his human frailty in denying Jesus before the cock crowed. I remember when visiting Jerusalem in 2014 I got up early to run around the city walls and passed the area where Peter had denied Jesus and amazingly I heard a cock crow around 6.30am! Thanks Pixabay
Many weather vane cockerel’s sits on the top of churches to remind us not to deny Christ. Peter’s call was on the first Good Friday morning and it represented a time of denial only to later that day witness the crucifixion of Jesus. In Mark 14:72 we read “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” ‘Peter remembered those words and broke down and wept’.
We may delight in the sound of our alarm clocks or dread the start of a new day but it can help us think about the Lord at the beginning of a new day. Our alarm clock may remind us of past days with gloom or set us up to face a new day with glee.
Consider for a moment, what in faith, does your alarm clock say to you? What awaits you, what is calling you? Whatever our new day has in store for us may we embrace it with a spirit of thanksgiving and praise for new every morning is God’s love and grace calling us to fresh tasks, joy and hope.
May we listen and worship with thanksgiving to Great is Your Mercy by Don Moen.
- Reflection on the Bible – (From page 130 in the book)
- Bible Reading – Acts 8:27 – 35
The Bible is the most read and banned book in the world and introduces us to God through Christ. However, even within and outside the church, people don’t fully understand it or apply it to their daily living. The word ‘Bible’ simply means ‘Book’. It has been written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek and then later translated into Latin and English. All church worship is and should be steeped in the Bible.
There are many family Bibles that include family names and events within them. Translators such as William Tyndale, who was martyred, helped form the Authorised Version (King James) and there is a stature of him in the Victoria Embankment Gardens in London. The Bible has a health warning attached to it for it can radically change the life of many individuals and societies.
Thanks Unsplash+
Efforts to try and eradicate the Bible and erode its influence within society has been tried many times and failed. It is not a human book, it is divine and has a protected life all of its own. To remove the Bible from society is a very dangerous thing to do. In percentage terms only a few really read and meditate upon its contents and we are seeing that effect throughout the world today.
In Acts 8 we find a eunuch reading the Bible without understanding it. It is very important that people explain what the Bible means for everyday living otherwise nobody will understand it or live by it. We all then have an opportunity to read and comprehend the Bible and then try to help others understand it as Philip did.
Listen and Worship to Thank You Lord by Chris Tomlin.
- Reflection on the Dining Table (From page 149 in the book)
- Bible Reading – Genesis 22: 9 – 14
Most Churches have tables at the back or along the side with Bibles, Hymn Books and important Notices to share. At the front of the church there will be a Communion Table either completely bare or covered with liturgical clothing and sacramental objects. In church we are seated in the context of an earthly life while celebrating a sacred and eternal life to come.
The Altar Table has a long history going back to times of animal or human sacrifices. A sacrifice was seen as a way to appease a deity and to feel close to god through obedience and ritual sacrifices.
Abraham built a table or alter to sacrifice his own son Isaac. Abraham in Genesis 22 was obedient to the point of Isaac’s death but God intervened and did not require human sacrifice.
God provided a new way through his son Jesus Christ who became a sacrifice and substitute to enable us to be forgiven of all our sins. As a result no further sacrifices are required and so in Christ we can experience a changed life on earth and a future promise of being with God in heaven.
Jesus Christ is both Priest and Victim as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Our Paschal Lamb Table is not just for a physical meal but represents a symbolic religious offering made and received in worship and communion.
So a Communion Table is both ordinary and special compared to a Dining Table that represents human fellowship and relationship. So may we give thanks for Alarm Clocks, the Bible and a Dining and Communion Table?
Our closing worship is a well-known hymn O Love, That Will Not Let Me Go
I hope you have enjoyed the study and it was very up lifting on the evening.
Selah: (Pause to think calmly on what has just been read) and check out A Time to Worship
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